Credential check will begin at 8:30. The forum event allowed state and local candidates to inform the local business community about their platform, goals, and objectives. What plans do you have to help Watauga County recover from the COVID-19 pandemic? Businesses have reported that business has been back to more in line with what a typical year would be. I think if we can just work with our counselors and support services to help boost these kids confidence and just make them feel like social optimists and get them back on track and feel like school is the best time of their life, Kerley said. 163, 336-846-2421 Sign up for daily email newsletter updates Email * First & Last Name * Provided bio: My name is Ronny Holste. To hire the best possible people. It is imperative that we protect our natural resources and agribusiness while developing an environment that benefits all folks within Watauga County. I think its about hiring the best teachers out there and that we hire people who will teach appropriately and properly so that our kids can have the best education possible, Kerley said. If elected, it would be essential for the board to listen, do their best to understand the issues, and provide the support and care needed in making the best decision they are able. Your local source for propane and heating fuels. Time for the 2023 Watauga County Republican Party Convention! Address, Phone Number, and Fax Number for Watauga County Board of Elections, a Board Of Elections, at West King Street, Boone NC. Email: chevron.removeClass('fa-chevron-up'); Matt Walpole - Member I believe my experience with the Watauga County Planning board uniquely qualifies me for County Commissioner. Meet the Candidates: Watauga County Board of Education McNeil Johnston Andrew Rice, Kaitlyn Potochnik, K. Slade, and Mia Seligman November 7, 2022|812 Views Election Day is Nov. 8 and with 19 candidates on the local ballot, Watauga voters have many decisions to make. We must continue to support this vital work. The university continues to admit more students, and while they are adding dorm space it still will be insufficient. North Carolina requires citizens to register with the Secretary of State in order to vote in local, North Carolina, and federal elections. Time for the 2023 Watauga County Republican Party Convention! Folks have still been traveling and visiting at the same pace as they always have. Click HERE to update your address. The pandemic has unearthed several shortfalls in local communities across the state and connectivity is one of the largest gaps we face. Full Time. From keeping updated policies in compliance with state and federal laws, and employing the most dedicated and compassionate educators, to ensuring the physical and psychological safety and wellbeing of all who work and attend WCS. I do not have all the answers, but I am a candidate that will listen to situations, consider all appropriate responses, and make the best decision possible for all the students and members involved. Navigate to North Carolina 2022 local elections overviews: With an, increase in the population, the calls are increasing as well, so it would dramatically reduce the. As great as this is, it is unfortunately still not accessible for all of Watauga County students or staff. Mailing Address: Coffee and biscuits will be available while supplies last, so make sure and get there early! I have lived in the High Country for 30 years. I will support continued strengthening of the school systems efforts to ensure strong and fair recruitment practices and a more representative workforce. I have been married to my wife, Anissa, for 27 years. Work with our local commissioners and representatives to provide funding for this. Its the skills that they need to move on.. } One of the most important efforts has been to continue offering the opportunity for free school meals when schools have been closed, including delivery of these meals by school buses and offering to-go meals at selected sites. Apply today! I have lived in the High Country for 30 years. if (chevron.hasClass('fa-chevron-up')) { We will be convening at the Watauga County Courthouse, in Courtroom 1 on March 11th, 2023 to elect officers, vote on resolutions, and rally the base to build on our successes from the 2022 Elections! When opportunities for improvements in these and related areas are identified, the School Board can and should advocate for the necessary changes with the General Assembly and others as appropriate. These routine processes are required by state and federal laws. However, the switch to remote instruction last spring highlighted the problem of lack of internet access in some parts of Watauga County. This is not something that you can sit back and wait on. I want to continue dialogue with the representatives in Raleigh. VoterInfobyState_Resized = true; It is essential that eastern and western Watauga County have an ambulance station. I plan to remove as many restrictions and obstructions I can from local businesses so they can flourish. I am very proud of my record and will continue to work each day to make Watauga County a desirable place to live, learn, work and visit. 842 W. King St, Suite 6 The county has to encourage building and development precisely because Appalachian State University keeps expanding. My family and I are members of Mount Vernon Baptist Church, where I have served as a deacon for 22 years. Full Time position. I am a NC native and completed masters degrees at UNC-Greensboro (counselor education) and UNC-Chapel Hill (public administration). I hold true to treating others as I would like to be treated. This is another area where state action and in this case, significant direct state funding is likely to be needed to make substantial progress. Overall, North Carolina was Solid Republican, having voted for Mitt Romney (R) in 2012, Donald Trump (R) in 2016, and Donald Trump (R) in 2020. If you haven't registered to vote, you can use the same link to register. Use the table below to view the total number of each type of county in North Carolina following the 2020 election as well as the overall percentage of the state population located in each county type. Accurate voter rolls are maintained by removing voters who have moved or died or are otherwise ineligible to vote in that jurisdiction, according to the . I have also taken great pride in offering open and honest government for all citizens. We are members of Grace Lutheran Church, where I have entered my second term on church council. Our members in Watauga County have endorsed a slate of trustworthy public-school advocates for the Watauga County school board. in Downtown Boone. Fax: Kaitlyn Potochnik (she/her) is a sophomore journalism major with a sociology minor from Wake Forest, NC. We have over $20 million in facility needs in our school system we are still trying to address. The Boone Area and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce hosted the 2022 Watauga County Meet the Candidates Forum on Thursday, October 6th at the Appalachian Theatre in Downtown Boone. Hanifan also said she believes parents should be thoroughly involved in their childrens education process. You can now updateyour address electronically if you have a North Carolina driver's license or identification card. Hanifan said she believes that every schools safety could be improved by having a resource officer. The county looks at the overall area of Watauga County. We are looking forward traveling with you in 2023! For those unable to attend in person, this event will be broadcast live, in its entirety, on SkyBest TV, YouTube TV, and WATA (1450 AM / 96.5 FM), and the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce website. Job specializations: HR/Recruitment. Hanifan said she believes in keeping education to the basics, such as: reading, writing, arithmetic, science, arts and factual history, Hanifan said. The Planning Board also acts as the review board for subdivision plat approval. But I would like to get even two officers in every school, Cole said. I know our current school system leadership is aware that we need to create a more diverse workforce and that this awareness shapes their recruitment efforts. The third thing I think is that were at a time now when we have to examine very carefully the forces that are trying to influence what we teach and how we teach in our schools.. Matthew.Snyder@watgov.org, Board Members It is imperative that they know the board members both care about their dedication and sacrifice and understand that the board of education will support them in making the best decisions for our students. More broadly, I care about the issues of education, poverty and justice. McLane Drivers safely deliver and unload product from our distribution centers to our customers, and they earn great pay and . The school board recently purchased land in the Valle Crucis community to replace a school that is prone to flooding. }); Local internet service providers offered special packages that were more affordable. Provided bio: I am a current Watauga County Commissioner. I have been honored to serve as the chairman of the board since 2016. Phone: 828-265-8061 Fax: 828-265-8068 Email: Matthew.Snyder@watgov.org Board Members Michael Behrent - Chair James Hill - Secretary They have a right to know their curriculum and they should be involved and its our duty to serve them to do so, Hanifan said. Your email address will not be published. , and through the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, View the Watauga County 2022 Meet the Candidates Forum in its entirety here, A special thank you to each of the candidates for their participation in the event, along with our venue host, Virginia Foxx (R) (I) (politely declined invite), NC House of Representatives - District 93, Ben Massey (D) (unable to attend due to a medical emergency; introductory remarks made on his behalf by wife Darlene), Beech Mountain Parks & Recreation: Recreation Attendant. Education equals social mobility. Im a fan of having options for kids, if somebody thinks something is not appropriate they should have options to choose from, Kerley said. We havent seen the drop in sales tax that many feared. Lenoir, North Carolina (February 24, 2023) - The Board of Directors of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation has appointed Angie Miller to fill the Watauga District Board seat that was left open when Hope Caroselli recently stepped down from the Board following a move outside the cooperative's service area. Watauga County Democratic Party The Party of All the People! One of the only ways I know how to do this is by being present, to listen and be accepting. He said he wants to make sure that the history that is being taught is not the history that America fought to get away from.. HR Assistant, Remote Recruiter, Recruiter, HR / Recruitment Consultant. We will be convening at the Watauga County Courthouse, in Courtroom 1 on March 11th, 2023 to elect officers, vote on resolutions, and rally the base to build on our successes from the 2022 Elections! I have served on the Appalachian Board of Trustees as the staff representative. Ashcraft also addressed personnel issues the county has been facing in recent years. Hours of Operations: First thing that comes to mind since weve been dealing with this a lot lately is the need for improving our facilities. All questions will be asked by a moderator. Id like to add that I have experience in all these areas having developed safety plans for three different schools.. The State Board does not provide information about candidates for other contests, but some media outlets and advocacy groups do. The forum event allowed state and local candidates to inform the local business community about their platform, goals, and objectives. Andrew Rice, Kaitlyn Potochnik, K. Slade, and Mia SeligmanNovember 7, 2022|819 Views. I see our small businesses as part of this development from tech companies or manufacturing, but I also see businesses like our brewing industry that can grow here as well. I will be an advocate for increased early education and child development services at both the local and state level. All candidates are running for the Board of Education: Cole said he wants to focus on infrastructure, school safety and mental health of students. This forum is not intended to be a debate between candidates, but rather an opportunity for the citizenry to hear each candidates position on topics important to all. What comes to mind is also I think safety is important with the president of the board having worked with other agencies in the state locally to provide school resource officers, Childers said. I work in Campus Dining at Appalachian and I was a political science major many years ago. Am I registered at my current address? Coffee and biscuits will be available while supplies last, so make sure and get there early. Posted 12:00:00 AM. Walking with those who struggle taught me a very important lesson.It is more important to be who we are, than whom or what others want us to be. State law currently prohibits local government from directly providing internet access, even in most kinds of partnerships with ISPs. The event is co-hosted by the Boone Area & Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce. Find local administrative orders and rules Watauga County Prosecutorial District 35 Superior Court District 24 District Court District 24 County Information County Information Contact Directory This issue was addressed in the answer to the first question above. } The current antenna is part of an antiquated system that is in dire need of an upgrade. As a result the Sheriffs department continues to have dead spots on the west end of the county, which creates problems with response time. To me, theres nothing more important than making sure our schools are safe, Childers said. Legal. 828-265-8061 } else { if (chevron.hasClass('fa-chevron-down')) { We make recommendations regarding the development of comprehensive planning programs in the unincorporated area of the County, including implementation and revision of land use regulations. chevron.addClass('fa-chevron-down'); I believe that Mahatma Gandhi had it right when he wrote that a nations greatness is measured by how you treat its weakest members. No matter the community, it is imperative that we find ways to support those who struggle. Showrooms with gas logs, water heaters and more are located in each Blue Ridge Energy district office. This in-person voting allows voters to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. VoterInfobyState_Timeout_jquery = setTimeout(widget_load_check_jquery, 500); Was early voting available to all voters? }. Our board has prioritized investments in improving Watauga County Schools facilities, expanding public safety services by adding ambulance coverage and improving emergency communication infrastructure. State and local courts | chevron.addClass('fa-chevron-down'); The issues with Internet connections have added communication barriers for our teachers who are having to work harder to be able to get the lessons out to students. While growth is necessary, it requires management with long range vision that holds development to the highest standard while protecting our natural resources and heritage. Where is my polling place? Listing for: Sidley Austin . WATAUGA COUNTY North Carolina. I want to continue working on improving, our broadband in this county we still have areas without any coverage and others with. , Co-Chair of the BACC's Government Relations Committee, posed questions to candidates from audience submission, along with suggestions from the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee and the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Community and Government Committee. Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? Click the links below to learn more: Click here to use Ballotpedia's sample ballot to find every election that Ballotpedia has on file for your address. The role and responsibilities of the BOE are vast and many in governing a school system. Remote Recruiter, Recruiter, HR / Recruitment Consultant, Tech / IT Recruiter. chevron.removeClass('fa-chevron-up'); Below, four categories are used to describe each county's voting pattern over the 2012, 2016, and 2020 presidential elections: Solid, Trending, Battleground, and New. You cant live here for cheap so its hard to live and work here, Kerley said. Questions will be asked by a panel of moderators. I have a beautiful wife, Gina, and two wonderful children, Ava (age 8) and Henry (age 5). Copyright 2023 - Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. Provided bio:My name is familiar to many: I have been providing health care to women in Watauga County for more than 25 years as a public health nurse, as an owner of a private medical practice, and now as an Advanced Practice Nurse at Harmony Center for Women. Now Hiring CDL-A Delivery Truck Drivers! chevron = $(this).find('i.fa-pull-right'); What is your number one goal if elected to the board of education? if (document.readyState === 'complete') { WATAUGA COUNTY RESULTS - unofficial results from North Carolina Board of Election. We are a Carolinas Accredited Chamber by CACCE and serve over 750 members across the High Country. 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